16 Best Flea Markets in Japan

Share

394

If you are scouting for exceptional secondhand items, then you must visit any of the Japanese flea markets.

These are filled with practical, cute, and easy-to-use items you will need for daily use.

Moreover, they are available at the best bargains and will give you the best value for money.

16 Flea Markets in Japan

Regardless of what you are out hunting, you can be sure that any Japanese flea markets are ideal.

So visit any of them for the best picks.

1. Tokyo City

This is one of the best flea markets in Tokyo.

It is a worthwhile market to check out if you live around the city or are visiting.

Most people love that it is a weekend market that has been running from 9 am to 3 pm since 1996.

You will come across all sorts of people, including locals and internationals.

The products sold are diverse and range from food to crafts, clothing, and anything you can think of.

If you have a few more hours to spare, consider exploring additional cultural attractions in Shinagawa.

You can start by popping at Hara Museum’s modern art gallery.

The old quaint shopping strip of Tokaido road is another great place to venture.

2. Aoyama Weekly Antique

This is the perfect market you can get all your unique antique pieces from.

The weekly market is hosted at the United Nations University in Aoyama and shares a space with one of the area’s most popular farmer’s markets.

You can be sure that this is the market you need to visit to get some unique Japanese antique pieces.

It is the right place for collectors to check out.

It is a great place to check out, with 20 to 30 stalls available weekly.

3. Mottainai

Mottainai can roughly translate to wasteful in English.

This is an environmentally conscious market whose beginning was motivated by the need to manage waste.

Different environmentally friendly events are held here and focus on encouraging recycling.

Check out the upcoming events on the group’s website.

You can be sure that this is the market where you find useful and practical items that you can keep for a long time because they are recyclable.

This is where you go if you want to be part of a greater course.

4. Shitennoji Temple

This market happens every 22nd and 23rd day of the month at the historic Shitennoji Temple in Osaka.

It is known for its exquisite electric items and is probably one of the best electric markets in Japan.

It is where you are likely to find various electric items.

With over 400 vendors present in the market, you are assured of unique pieces, both secondhand and antique.

What’s more, most of these great and unique collectible pieces are available at an excellent bargain.

So you can be sure that you are getting value for cash.

5. Ohatsu Tenjin Shrine

This may not be as popular as the temple market, but it is worth checking out.

It runs twice a month on the Ohatsu Tenjin Shrine grounds.

The market hosts about 30-40 stalls with vendors selling different kinds of secondhand items, from art pieces to decorative items.

The variety of items present in this market will be worth checking out.

It has both western and traditional Japanese items.

Although the market is not as large as others you may have heard of, and is a great spot to hunt for exceptionally good quality items.

6. Toji Temple

This unique market is located on a UNESCO heritage site and is locally known as Kobo-Ichi Market.

It is a perfect market for anyone interested in learning more about the cultural heritage of Kyoto.

It is held on the 21st of each month and runs from early morning to about 4 pm every time.

You will be amazed by how large the market is, considering it hosts about 1300 stalls and has a variety of items to check out.

Sample the unique street foods, excellent pottery, and antiques.

You will also find cute kimonos and sculptures and practically anything imaginable.

7. Chionji Tezukuri ‘Handmade’

This market happens on the 15th of every month and attracts visitors from across the city.

You can be sure of finding unique handmade pieces from this market.

While the activities are pretty laid back, it is a perfect plan for anyone with a few hours to spare for a morning stroll.

The different vendors showcase unique pieces that make perfect souvenirs.

The collection includes kimonos, bags, and handmade clothes.

8. Tenjin-San

This is another excellent market that features 1000 stalls close to the entrance of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

The market is held every month, on the 25th.

If you are the kind of person that lives for great bargains, this is a perfect hunting ground.

Tenjin San market is prominently known for its clothes variety, that range from vintage, traditional, and contemporary collections.

However, there is more to the market than clothes, especially if you are keen on sampling numerous traditional cuisines.

Try out the different beverage stalls as you take a break from trying clothes.

9. Senda Wasshoi Matsuri

This is probably one of the most popular markets in Hiroshima.

It regularly runs from morning to evening and is home to vendors selling unique collectibles.

Thanks to the entertainment offered, you are assured of an excellent time.

It is one of those markets considered more of a festival than a market.

Anyone with unique pieces is welcome to sell their items too.

All you have to do is get in touch with those responsible.

10. Shinagawa Intercity

This is unlike most of the traditional markets you are used to in Japan.

However, hunting for the best bargains is still possible thanks to this covered market even when the weather is acting up.

The market is also packed with various products, including utensils and clothes.

There are other activities one can engage in, such as visiting fortune tellers, going to the salon, and attending fun sideshows.

Your time in this market will certainly be worth it.

It is the perfect weekend plan since it usually opens from 10.30 am to 3 pm.

11. Kawaii

If you are looking for cute pieces, this is the market you need to visit.

It is the ideal place to get your best Kawaii aesthetics.

The fact that it is sometimes dotted with famous and worthy artisans makes it a great site.

The market is held in two locations interchangeably.

However, since it happens twice a month on different weekends, you should find out when it is at Ikebukuro or Nakano-Sakaue.

Generally, the market runs from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm regardless of the location.

12. Yoyogi Park

This is a trendy open-air market that majorly comprises local youths as vendors.

The market has no regular times and runs all through the year.

It mostly runs on weekends from 9 am to 4 pm and is a great spot for the adventurous spirit.

You can be sure to find great food stalls and other items you will like.

Also, be sure to attend the Earth day market held once a month on the same grounds.

Here you will get to sample local organic foods and handmade crafts.

13. Akihabara

This market happens at the JR Akihabara Station tracks every weekend.

You must attend this market if you scout for great products with massive discounts.

It is mostly an entertainment kind of market with games, consoles, DVDs, blu rays, figurines, and books being some of the products featured.

You will love that the market is open regardless of the weather since it is sheltered.

It runs from 10 am to 6 pm every weekend and on public holidays.

14. Kawaguchi Daifurugi Matsuri

You will not have visited a Tokyo clothes market if you do not go to Kawaguchi Daifurugi Matsuri.

The market is held in Saitama, just outside the Kawaguchi Station’s east exit.

It is known for the variety of recycled clothes in various sizes and assortments, all at a great bargain.

Besides buying recycled clothes, you can also feel free to donate old unsellable ones.

Most people also buy from charities as a way of supporting notable cases.

15. Furugi Festival

This festival market is an excellent place for all your trendy secondhand clothes.

It is home to vendors selling off vintage clothing collections and those who want to dispose of everyday use clothing.

This market’s most common variety of clothes includes leather jackets, fashion trends from the 90s, and modern trendy clothes.

Besides the clothes, you will also get great food and coffee.

Unfortunately, the market is not regular and is often held on Sundays from 9 am to 5.30 pm.

16. The Oedo Antique Markets

This is a popular market in Japan with two different locations.

The first is at the Tokyo International Forum, with 250 stalls, making it the largest antique market in the country.

Here you will find all sorts of Japanese artifacts sold on the first Sunday of each month from 9 am to 4 pm.

Products range from garments, crafts, pottery, art, and food, to mention a few.

The second location is at Yoyogi park. The dates for this market vary but mostly happen on weekends.

The market is diverse and incorporates much younger clientele.

The 16 Best Flea Markets in Japan – Summary Table

Japan Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Japan Safety Review

Safety Index:

83

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW